Stars | Aaron Hotchner

1

     I wipe my palms on my jeans, eager to get this over with. My qualifications test. I've gone shooting with Dad thousands of times, why was I so nervous? This is the job I've wanted my entire life.

     Watching Dad leave the house to catch bad guys was enough for me. I knew that that's what I wanted to do. My brother just thought that he hated us. That he always chose his job over his family, but I knew.

     "Catherine Gideon?" A pretty brunette asked, peeking through a half-open door. I got up and headed towards her.

     "That would be me," I said, with a polite smile. No need to be nervous. I do this all the time.

     "Great. Follow me. My name is Jessica, I'll be overlooking your test."

     "Nice to meet you, Jessica," I said to her back as she led me to a room down a long hallway. I could hear gunshots going off in all directions.

     "Are you nervous?" Jessica asked.

     "A little. But I'm mostly excited to start this job." I said, with a giant smile across my face.

     "Great!" She said back to me, opening a door at the very end of the hallway. We walked into the bright room. "Your objective is to hit your targets. Some move slowly, some fast, some not at all. Your gun is on the shelf in front of the glass, and there are some safety glasses and earmuffs right here." She said, picking them up and handing them to me. "I'll tap your shoulder, and that's the signal for you to start."

     "Perfect," I said, taking the objects from her hands. I slipped on the glasses and earmuffs, then walked over to the stand with the gun. The magazine was separated from the gun, so I picked the gun up with my right hand and slid the magazine in with my left. The act felt so natural, I didn't even realize I did it until Jessica spoke.

     "The gun has its safety on. Are you ready?" She spoke loudly, to hear through the cotton surrounding our ears.

     "Yes!" I said equally as loud. She touched my shoulder, and I flicked the safety off. A few targets popped up in front of me, and I couldn't help but smile. The shooting range brought back a lot of good memories. Dad would take me to the range when I was in a bad mood and it always seemed to make me feel better.

     Before I knew it, the test was done and the targets were still. I slid the magazine out of the gun and set it down. My eyes focused on the targets, and every single shot was right in the center of each target. I smiled and took off my earmuffs, my brown curls getting snagged in them.

     "Very good. If you'll head out to the waiting room, I'll be out in a few minutes." Jessica said, a proud smile on her face. I opened the door and walked down the long hallway to the waiting room. It only took her about two minutes before she came in with a paper in her hand. "Welcome to the FBI, Agent Gideon!" I shrieked and bounced up to hug her.

     "Thank you!" I said, arms wrapped around the stranger. She hugged me tight, and genuine. I could tell she was a good person.

     "Just bring this certificate up to Erin Strauss on floor seven. From there, you'll get your badge and gun." Jessica said, breaking our hug. With that, I turned and headed out the door.

     "Thank you again!" I said over my shoulder as the door shut behind me.

     As I got off the elevator, another long hallway welcomed me. I walked until I saw "Erin Strauss" written on the outside of the door. I knocked softly, to not interrupt anything.

     "Come in." I opened the door and walked in, paper in hand. "Wonderful news, Catherine." Strauss said with a smile.

     "Thank you, ma'am," I said back, a smile still wide on my face. She extended her arm out to take my slip and put her glasses on to read it. Strauss then opened her drawer and pulled out a firearm and badge.